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Better protection of speleological objects through data collection and analysis

24.05.2022.

As part of celebrating the European Day of Parks, the project “More efficient management of speleological objects in the Republic of Croatia through maintenance and upgrade of the CroSpeleo system as part of the Nature Protection Information System” was presented at the Centre of Excellence Cerovac Caves. The Fund co-financed with HRK 4.6 million the project which is implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development in cooperation with the Public Institution “Velebit Nature Park” and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service.
The total value of the project is HRK 5.7 million, with the Fund’s participation of 80%. This project follows up on the development, maintenance, and entry of data in the CroSpeleo IT system, which was also co-financed by the Fund in the earlier phase with almost 2 million.
 
Vlatka Gulan Zetić, the head of the Department for nature protection at the Fund, pointed out that the numerous Croatian endemic cave species were the reason why it was important to preserve these valuable habitats. “We believe that along with resolving the widespread problem of waste dumped in caves, this project will contribute to the protection of speleological objects through data gathering and analysis, and interdepartmental cooperation,” said Gulan Zetić. Other participants included Aljoša Duplić, director of the Institute for Environment and Nature at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, acting director of Velebit Nature Park Mario Šaban, the representatives of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, and the representatives of the Croatian Speleological Association.
 
Apart from feeding the data in the IT system, this project will focus on resolving the most pressing threat – waste dumping in speleological objects, so the data gathered on site will allow expert assessment of the impact of this waste on the cave fauna and habitat. This is highly important because it is estimated that around half of Croatia’s area is covered with specific ground and underground forms of karst. The underground systems form the reservoir supplying 70% of drinking water in Croatia. In addition, underground caves are the habitat for various animal communities, they contain proof of the past life, climate, and geological processes. Croatia has recorded around 10,000 speleological objects, but it can be assumed there are many more. One of the goals of the project is to use expert and research approach to analyse the impact of climate change on the cave fauna, and to strengthen the cooperation of public authorities and civil society organisations interested in the implementation of activities aimed at the protection of speleological objects.
 
As part of the project presentation, the clean-up action of pit “Tučić hole” was carried out.